In mid-March apply fertilizer (16-4-8, 15-0-15, 10-4-10 or 8-2-12) with approximately 30 to 50 percent of the nitrogen in slow release form.

If you cut your own lawn, service your lawn mower first. Apply most herbicides for weeds safely. When the daily temperatures rise above 85 degrees, most of the available post-emergent herbicides can cause the grass to yellow and die. Follow the label recommendations for proper application rates and frequency. Check the product carefully for any restrictions such as "Do not use on Floratam St. Augustine grass," etc.

Food Garden

Most gardens will produce better by amending soils with compost (organic matter). Do a soil pH test to determine acid/alkaline level.

Warm season vegetables can be planted: snap beans, pole beans, cantaloupe, sweet corn, cucumbers, eggplant, peppers, squash, tomatoes, and watermelons. Plant the seedlings you started indoors in January and February.

Fruit

Citrus will be blooming so make sure you do not spray anything on the trees until the blossoms drop.

If your citrus trees had or have scab (bumps on fruit and leaves) or melanose (a black speck on the foliage and streaking on fruit)treat the entire tree (and any surrounding citrus trees) with copper sulfate solution two-to-three weeks after petal drop and again after an additional two weeks.

Follow the label instructions for proper application rates.

If you suspect your tree is suffering from Citrus Greening, you can bring in a sample (put in a plastic storage bag and seal it closed) to the Extension office to have it examined or contact the Florida Department of Agriculture Division of Plant Industry Citrus Health Response Program 800-282-5153 for information.

Fertilize palm trees with aa palm or citrus fertilizer containing 4 percent magnesium. Magnesium and Epsom salts can be applied at the same time as fertilizer.

Magnesium sulfate will benefit most plants and will result in deeper shades of green.

Fertilize hibiscus, azaleas, roses, and poinsettias with a fertilizer containing the minor elements with a ratio of 3:1:2 (i.e., 12-4-8 Nitrogen - Phosphorous - Potassium). Approximately 50 percent of the nitrogen should be slow release.

Prune back poinsettias once colored bracts begin to wilt to approximately 1/3-1/2 the total size of the plant. These may be planted outdoors in a well-drained sunny area. They are sensitive to the cold, so plant them in a protected site with a southern exposure. Poinsettias are heavy feeders, so fertilize often or use a slow release fertilizer.

The chance for a freeze is generally over by mid-March. So, you can prune back plants that have freeze damage. It can be quite a while until new growth starts on damaged plants.

One quick way to determine if a stem or branch is alive is to cut the limb and see if green is present. If all the leaves have fallen off, the branch is probably alive. If the leaves have stayed on the branch, it is a sign that the branch is dead.

Prune plants as needed. Limit what is pruned to one third of the total plant canopy size. Prune all dead branches, water sprouts and crossing branches.

Don't leave stubs. Prune branches back to a node, or just above a new bud on a 45-degree angle.